Patentable/Patents/US-9690281
US-9690281

Machine tool and machining control device thereof

PublishedJune 27, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A machining control device controls spindle rotational speed. A set of stability limit curve data is stored indicating a relation between a spindle rotational speed and a limit cutting-in amount whereby chatter vibrations are inhibited. Spindle rotational speed and tool cutting-in amount in starting machining are set based on the data. Vibrations of the spindle are detected during cutting. Whether chatter vibrations have occurred is determined based on vibrations detection. Spindle rotational speed is controlled with reference to the data to inhibit chatter vibrations. Cutting-in amount in starting machining is set to be less than a maximum cutting-in amount within a stable region of the data, and spindle rotational speed in starting machining is set to be less than a rotational speed when the cutting-in amount is maximum within the stable region. Spindle rotational speed is increased by an amount of a predetermined rotational speed when chatter vibrations have occurred.

Patent Claims
8 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A machining control device for a machine tool comprising a controller programmed to control a rotational speed of a spindle of the machine tool, the spindle being a part onto which a cutting tool for cutting a workpiece is attached; and a vibration detection sensor configured to detect vibrations of the spindle during cutting and generate a vibration detection signal, the vibration detection sensor being operatively arranged to communicate the detection signal to the controller, the controller including a data storage configured to store a set of stability limit curve data indicating a relation between a spindle rotational speed and a limit cutting-in amount whereby chatter vibrations are inhibited, the controller being configured to set both a spindle rotational speed in starting machining and a cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining based on the set of stability limit curve data, the stability limit curve data defining a spindle rotational speed versus cutting-in amount of the cutting tool characteristic: determine whether or not chatter vibrations have occurred based on a result of detection by the vibration detection sensor; set the cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining to be a machining starting cutting-in amount less than a maximum cutting-in amount within a stable region in the set of stability limit curve data, the stable region being a region in which the chatter vibrations are inhibited; and set the spindle rotational speed in starting machining to a machining starting rotational speed that corresponds to the machining starting cutting-in amount according to the stability limit curve data, the machining starting rotational speed being less than a rotational speed corresponding to the maximum cutting-in amount within the stable region; the controller being further configured to control the spindle rotational speed to be the machining starting rotational speed during operation of the machine tool, and to maintain the spindle rotational speed at the machining starting rotational speed when chatter vibrations have not occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine a first new spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by increasing the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by an amount of a predetermined rotational speed when chatter vibrations have occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine whether the first new spindle rotational speed is within an allowable range, the allowable range being determined with reference to the set of stability limit curve data; operate the spindle at the first new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is within the allowable range, and operate the spindle at a second new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is not within the allowable range, the second new spindle rotational speed being set based on the first new spindle rotational speed, the amount of the predetermined rotational speed, and a number of times the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool has been increased by the amount of the predetermined rotational speed.

Plain English Translation

A machining control device for a machine tool controls the spindle's rotation speed based on a "stability limit curve" stored in memory. This curve relates spindle speed to a maximum cutting depth that avoids chatter. A vibration sensor detects spindle vibrations. The controller sets the initial spindle speed and cutting depth based on the stability limit curve, choosing values within the stable region, i.e., below the maximum cutting depth for the given speed. During machining, if chatter is detected, the spindle speed is increased by a fixed amount. If this new speed is within the "allowable range" (defined by the stability curve), the spindle operates at that speed. Otherwise, a second adjusted speed is calculated based on the original increment and the number of speed adjustments made.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The machining control device for a machine tool recited in claim 1 , wherein the set of stability limit curve data is calculated based on a characteristic value of the cutting tool obtained by a vibration analysis, a coefficient determined based on a material of the workpiece, and a machining condition.

Plain English Translation

The machining control device described above calculates the "stability limit curve data" based on vibration analysis of the cutting tool, a coefficient derived from the workpiece material, and the specific machining conditions being used. This calculation allows the control device to adapt to different tools, materials, and operating parameters to avoid chatter.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. A machining control device for a machine tool comprising: a controller programmed to control a rotational speed of a spindle of the machine tool, the spindle being a part onto which a cutting tool for cutting a workpiece is attached; and a vibration detection sensor configured to detect vibrations of the spindle during cutting and generate a vibration detection signal, the vibration detection sensor being operatively arranged to communicate the detection signal to the controller, the controller including a data storage configured to store a set of stability limit curve data indicating a relation between a spindle rotational speed and a limit cutting-in amount whereby chatter vibrations are prohibited, the controller being configured to set both a spindle rotation speed in starting machining and a cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining based on the set of stability limit curve data, the stability limit curve data defining a spindle rotational speed versus cutting-in amount of the cutting tool characteristic; determine whether or not chatter vibrations have occurred based on a result of detection by the vibration detection sensor; set the cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining to be a machining starting cutting-in amount less than a maximum cutting-in amount within a stable region in the set of stability limit curve data, the stable region being a region in which the chatter vibrations are inhibited; and set the spindle rotational speed in starting machining to a machining starting rotational speed that corresponds to the machining starting cutting-in amount according to the stability limit curve data, the machining starting rotational speed being greater than a rotational speed corresponding to the maximum cutting-in amount within the stable region; the controller being further configured to control the spindle rotational speed to be the machining starting rotational speed during operation of the machine tool, and to maintain the spindle rotational speed at the machining starting rotational speed when chatter vibrations have not occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine a first new spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by decreasing the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by an amount of a predetermined rotational speed when chatter vibrations have occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine whether the first new spindle rotational speed is within an allowable range, the allowable range being determined with reference to the set of stability limit curve data; operate the spindle at the first new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is within the allowable range, and operate the spindle at a second new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is not within the allowable range, the second new spindle rotational speed being set based on the first new spindle rotational speed, the amount of the predetermined rotational speed, and a number of times the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool has been decreased by the amount of the predetermined rotational speed.

Plain English Translation

A machining control device for a machine tool controls the spindle's rotation speed based on a "stability limit curve" stored in memory. This curve relates spindle speed to a maximum cutting depth that avoids chatter. A vibration sensor detects spindle vibrations. The controller sets the initial spindle speed and cutting depth based on the stability limit curve, choosing values within the stable region, i.e., below the maximum cutting depth for the given speed, but with the initial speed *greater* than the speed corresponding to the maximum stable cutting depth. During machining, if chatter is detected, the spindle speed is decreased by a fixed amount. If this new speed is within the "allowable range" (defined by the stability curve), the spindle operates at that speed. Otherwise, a second adjusted speed is calculated based on the original decrement and the number of speed adjustments made.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The machining control device for a machine tool recited in claim 3 , wherein the set of stability limit curve data is calculated based on a characteristic value of the cutting tool obtained by a vibration analysis, a coefficient determined based on a material of the workpiece, and a machining condition.

Plain English Translation

The machining control device described above calculates the "stability limit curve data" based on vibration analysis of the cutting tool, a coefficient derived from the workpiece material, and the specific machining conditions being used. This calculation allows the control device to adapt to different tools, materials, and operating parameters to avoid chatter.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. A machine tool comprising: machining control device configured to generate and transmit a control command; a spindle with a cutting tool attached onto a tip thereof; and a numeric control part configured to set and control a machining condition including a cutting-in amount of the cutting tool and a rotational speed of the spindle based on the control command transmitted from the machining control device, the machining control device including a controller programmed to generate the control command, the controller including a data storage to store a set of stability limit curve data indicating a relation between a spindle rotational speed and a limit cutting-in amount whereby chatter vibrations are inhibited, and a vibration detection sensor configured to detect vibrations of the spindle during cutting and generate a vibration detection signal, the vibration detection sensor being operatively arranged to communicate the detection signal to the controller, the controller being configured to set both a spindle rotational speed and a cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining based on the set of stability limit curve data, the stability limit curve data defining a spindle rotational speed versus cutting-in amount of the cutting tool characteristic, determine whether or not chatter vibrations have occurred based on a result of detection by the vibration detection sensor; set the cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining to be a machining starting cutting-in amount less than a maximum cutting-in amount within a stable region in the set of stability limit curve data, the stable region being a region in which the chatter vibrations are inhibited; and set the spindle rotational speed in starting machining to a machining starting rotational speed that corresponds to the machining starting cutting-in amount according to the stability limit curve data, the machining starting rotational speed being less than a rotational speed corresponding to the maximum cutting-in amount within the stable region; the controller being further configured to control the spindle rotational speed to be the machining starting rotational speed during operation of the machine tool, and to maintain the spindle rotational speed at the machining starting rotational speed when chatter vibrations have not occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine a first new spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by increasing the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by an amount of a predetermined rotational speed when chatter vibrations have occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine whether the first new spindle rotational speed is within an allowable range, the allowable range being determined with reference to the set of stability limit curve data; operate the spindle at the first new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is within the allowable range, and operate the spindle at a second new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is not within the allowable range, the second new spindle rotational speed being set based on the first new spindle rotational speed, the amount of the predetermined rotational speed, and a number of times the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool has been increased by the amount of the predetermined rotational speed.

Plain English Translation

A machine tool includes a machining control device that generates control commands, a spindle holding the cutting tool, and a numerical control (NC) part that controls the cutting depth and spindle speed according to the machining control device's commands. The machining control device uses a controller to generate commands based on a "stability limit curve" relating spindle speed and maximum stable cutting depth, which is stored in memory. A vibration sensor detects spindle vibrations. The controller sets the initial spindle speed and cutting depth based on the stability limit curve, choosing values within the stable region, i.e., below the maximum cutting depth for the given speed. During machining, if chatter is detected, the spindle speed is increased by a fixed amount. If this new speed is within the "allowable range" (defined by the stability curve), the spindle operates at that speed. Otherwise, a second adjusted speed is calculated based on the original increment and the number of speed adjustments made.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The machine tool recited in claim 5 , wherein the set of stability limit curve data is calculated based on a characteristic value of the cutting tool obtained by a vibration analysis, a coefficient determined based on a material of the workpiece, and a machining condition.

Plain English Translation

The machine tool described above utilizes a "stability limit curve data" calculated based on vibration analysis of the cutting tool, a coefficient derived from the workpiece material, and the specific machining conditions being used. This calculation enables adaptation to varying tools, materials, and operational settings to prevent chatter.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. A machine tool comprising: machining control device configured to generate and transmit a control command; a spindle with a cutting tool attached onto a tip thereof; and a numeric control part configured to set and control a machining condition including a cutting-in amount of the cutting tool and a rotational speed of the spindle based on the control command transmitted from the machining control device, the machining control device including a controller programmed to generate the control command, the controller including a data storage to store a set of stability limit curve data indicating a relation between a spindle rotational speed and a limit cutting-in amount whereby chatter vibrations are inhibited, and a vibration detection sensor configured to detect vibrations of the spindle during cutting and generate a vibration detection signal, the vibration detection sensor being operatively arranged to communicate the detection signal to the controller, the controller being configured to set both a spindle rotational speed and a cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining based on the set of stability limit curve data, the stability limit curve data defining a spindle rotational speed versus cutting-in amount of the cutting tool characteristic, determine whether or not chatter vibrations have occurred based on a result of detection by the vibration detection sensor; set the cutting-in amount of the cutting tool in starting machining to be a machining starting cutting-in amount less than a maximum cutting-in amount within a stable region in the set of stability limit curve data, the stable region being a region in which the chatter vibrations are inhibited; and set the spindle rotational speed in starting machining to a machining starting rotational speed that corresponds to the machining starting cutting-in amount according to the stability limit curve data, the machining starting rotational speed being greater than a rotational speed corresponding to the maximum cutting-in amount within the stable region; the controller being further configured to control the spindle rotational speed to be the machining starting rotational speed during operation of the machine tool, and to maintain the spindle rotational speed at the machining starting rotational speed when chatter vibrations have not occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine a first new spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by decreasing the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool by an amount of a predetermined rotational speed when chatter vibrations have occurred during operation of the machine tool, the controller being further configured to determine whether the first new spindle rotational speed is within an allowable range, the allowable range being determined with reference to the set of stability limit curve data; operate the spindle at the first new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is within the allowable range, and operate the spindle at a second new spindle rotational speed when the first new spindle rotational speed is not within the allowable range, the second new spindle rotational speed being set based on the first new spindle rotational speed, the amount of the predetermined rotational speed, and a number of times the spindle rotational speed during operation of the machine tool has been decreased by the amount of the predetermined rotational speed.

Plain English Translation

A machine tool includes a machining control device that generates control commands, a spindle holding the cutting tool, and a numerical control (NC) part that controls the cutting depth and spindle speed according to the machining control device's commands. The machining control device uses a controller to generate commands based on a "stability limit curve" relating spindle speed and maximum stable cutting depth, which is stored in memory. A vibration sensor detects spindle vibrations. The controller sets the initial spindle speed and cutting depth based on the stability limit curve, choosing values within the stable region, i.e., below the maximum cutting depth for the given speed, but with the initial speed *greater* than the speed corresponding to the maximum stable cutting depth. During machining, if chatter is detected, the spindle speed is decreased by a fixed amount. If this new speed is within the "allowable range" (defined by the stability curve), the spindle operates at that speed. Otherwise, a second adjusted speed is calculated based on the original decrement and the number of speed adjustments made.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The machine tool recited in claim 7 , wherein the set of stability limit curve data is calculated based on a characteristic value of the cutting tool obtained by a vibration analysis, a coefficient determined based on a material of the workpiece, and a machining condition.

Plain English Translation

The machine tool described above utilizes a "stability limit curve data" calculated based on vibration analysis of the cutting tool, a coefficient derived from the workpiece material, and the specific machining conditions being used. This calculation enables adaptation to varying tools, materials, and operational settings to prevent chatter.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

March 23, 2012

Publication Date

June 27, 2017

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